The World Council of Churches (WCC) is inviting Christians across the world to join in a special prayer for women who are facing gender-based violence.

Each Thursday, beginning today, 31 May, the WCC will release, via its website and social media, a prayer shared by members of ‘pilgrim teams’ who have been visiting communities in conflict, and hearing the stories of women who are facing sexual harassment, rape, domestic violence and other injustices.

These ‘pilgrim prayers’ will reflect the experiences of pilgrim team members who, during the past two years, have witnessed the deep wounds among women in conflict situations.

Pilgrims visited Abuja, Jos and Yola in Nigeria in August 2017, and Burundi in December 2017. In February 2018, pilgrim teams also visited Cauca, Uraba, Atlantic Coast, Bogota, Barranquilla, Valledupar and Bolivar in Colombia. Juba, in South Sudan was also visited in May this year.

‘In all the countries we have visited so far, we were not prepared for the stories that our sisters have shared,’ said Isabel Apawo Phiri, Deputy General Secretary of the WCC. ‘Our sisters are carrying unspeakable wounds. The women’s strength comes from their faith in God who is able to transform the conflict to justice and peace.’

The weekly prayers will be shared as part of ‘Thursdays in Black’ – a global movement resisting attitudes and practices that perpetuate rape and violence.

Picture: Rosie Fraser/Unsplash

31 May 2018